Our placement department keeps a weekly report on the students/grads who come to or call the department. Additionally, the report also includes employer contacts made, incoming job opportunities, and what graduates were placed during the week. Its an excellent tracking system. We also have a software program that tracks graduate information, including, but not limited to, graduate resumes, placement department contact with graduatesm, and scheduled interviews for the graduates. From this software we can generate a variety of reports for the college management team.
Hi Suzanne
Thanks for all the great information. Something for all schools to apply. I like the open door policy of your placement department. Do you have records of how many students use the services. Or how many don't. The field trips sound great. And very relevant. Relevancy is always a challenge for schools. Sounds like your advisory board is amazing because you value and act on their opinions.
Thanks
Susan
Hi Susan,
Job fair preparation begins in the student's first quarter with the course entitled career focus. Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to assess their goals, strengths and weaknesses; become more familiar with the college environment; be more effective with time management; be familiar with college survival techniques such as note taking, study and learning skills, and test taking. Additionally, because our program is industry specific, students discuss the different job opportunities within the industry. Placement also has an open door policy and meets with all incoming students during their first quarter to get an idea of their skill level and career desires.
Weekly employer contact is very important. While it is central to remember the student is our customer, so is the employer and the placement department is the bridge between them. The field trips were designed to be implemented during specific times during the student's coursework during a specific quarter. Because they are industry specific, they range from winery tours to restaurant tours. The trips tie-in with what is being taught in the curriculum at a specific time.
Our advisory board is amazing and there is quite a bit of talent among the members. Most of them do employ our students and graduates. One of the skills they felt students needed to improve upon was their knife cuts. Therefore, the curriculum was updated to intensify that particular skill set. Lack of communication was another assessment the advisory board felt the students needed to work on. In that regard, more role playing was implemented in the management classes in order for the students to have a idea of how various scenarios can play out in the real world.
Hi Suzanne
Wow! Sounds like you are doing everything right. A real model placement department. You say that students are required to attend the job fairs. Great. What kind of preparation does the student get priorto attending? Are there workshops or briefing sessions so they are prepared?
You mention that your placement department contacts employers weekly. That is the key, isn't it? It takes constant follow up to get a good source of industry reps. I like the idea of field trips. Wondering if they are formalized or depend on the coordinator or people at the host site. Specifically, are there learning objectives spelled out?
Re your advisory board - can you provide us with examples of what changes and enhancements they have suggested that were implemented by the school.
Thanks for your very comprehensive response. Lots of great implementable ideas.
Susan
Our program specific placement department holds two job fairs per year and requires all students to attend. Current and potential employers, both local and regional, are invited to these job fairs. It is mandatory for all students to attend. This allows for networking to begin early on in their schooling so that they can see the wide variety of options available to them in the specific industry. The placement department contacts potential employers weekly to let them know about the college, students/graduates and the job fairs. Regional employers visit the school on a quarterly basis, to not only see the facility but also to interview pending graduates and graduates.
Additionally, the college has a program specific outreach coordinator. This coordinator handles field trips for the program. Most of the employers in the area are not able to come to speak to classes on a regular basis, however, field trips to their businesses are welcomed. This provides the student with an opportunity to see their career choice in action.
Finally, the college has a program specific advisory board that meets twice per year. The majority of the advisory board members employ students and graduates from the program and are truly able to speak to the further development of the program.
Bringing employers and people from your industry into a school is a challenge. Sounds like you are on the right track by going to chamber meetings. Maybe there are other professional organizations to network. Also what about contacting employers of your grads? Establish relationships so they will want to visit your school. Sometimes folks on PAC get tired out. It's good to have a pool of employers to call on.
Susan
Our college has a Program Advisory Committee who meets twice a year to review books, classes, and changes. A few of these PAC members have come in to talk to various classes on employment opportunities, professional attitudes, and how the student's studies will help in the 'real world'. Outside of that, it's a matter of asking people at every Chamber of Commerce meeting and so forth, hoping to find someone not too busy.
